The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata has become the center of a raging controversy during the ongoing first Test match between India and South Africa, with the pitch conditions drawing severe criticism from cricket experts and former players alike.
Pitch Conditions Spark Outrage
The trouble began even before the match started on November 16, 2025, with concerns about how the dry surface would behave. The pitch showed several visible cracks and offered vicious turn and uneven bounce from the very first morning, making batting extremely difficult for both teams.
The statistics tell a startling story - 27 wickets fell within the first two days of the Test match, with spinners claiming 15 of those dismissals. Batters from both sides struggled to find their footing, with the unpredictable nature of the pitch making stroke-playing nearly impossible.
Former Players Voice Strong Criticism
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has celebrated many memorable moments at Eden Gardens, was among the first to express his concern. Taking to social media, he wrote: "Test cricket india vs South Africa the game almost over on 2nd day isn't finished yet . What a mockery of test cricket #RIPTESTCRICKET."
Harbhajan escalated his criticism on his YouTube channel, making a bold statement that even cricket legends would struggle on this surface. "No matter how good your technique is, whether it is the great Tendulkar or Virat, I do not think they would have survived on such a surface", he asserted, explaining that the unpredictable bounce and spin made batting a lottery.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan echoed similar sentiments, tweeting: "Awful pitch in Kolkata. Total carnage. This isn't Test cricket; it's a lottery." His comments highlighted the growing international concern about the quality of playing surfaces in Test cricket.
Experts Rate the Pitch Poorly
Another former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Bangar, rated the Eden Gardens pitch a mere 5.5 out of 10. He emphasized that the inconsistent bounce had reached unplayable levels, forcing batters to pre-empt their dismissals rather than playing their natural shots.
The criticism has raised important questions about the balance between home advantage and maintaining the fundamental spirit of Test cricket. With the match threatening to finish inside three days, concerns are growing about whether such pitches are good for the long-term health of the traditional format of the game.
As the debate continues, all eyes remain on Kolkata, where the Eden Gardens pitch has undoubtedly become the main talking point, overshadowing the actual contest between bat and ball that defines proper Test cricket.
